The award finalists were chosen as follows: As supervised by the International Literacy Association, children in five school systems spread around the country read and discussed books in the picture book and middle-grade categories; books for teens were nominated online at TeenReads.com.

Then, the 7 finalists in each of the four categories were voted on nationwide via a COPA-compliant online voting site hosted by DOGObooks, as well as by voting ballots submitted by groups organized by teachers, librarians, and independent bookstore staff. Voting ended on May 7, 2017, the last day of Children’s Book Week, celebrating its 98th year with over 2,500 library, school, and bookstore events this year.

For the first time, the announcement of the winners took place late this afternoon at BookExpo, the national book trade show held at the Javits Center in a ceremony hosted by the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Gene Luen Yang.

The 2017 winners are:

K – 2nd Grade Book of the Year: MADELINE FINN AND THE LIBRARY DOG, by Lisa Papp (Peachtree Publishers)

3rd – 4th Grade Book of the Year: ONCE UPON AN ELEPHANT by Linda Stanek; illus. by Shennen Bersani (Arbordale Publishing)

Every Child a Reader is a 501(c)(3) literacy charity dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love of reading in children and teens across America. Every Child a Reader’s popular national programs include Children’s Book Week, the longest-running literacy initiative in the country; the Children’s Choice Book Awards; and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature in partnership with the Library of Congress. Individual and corporate donations, grants, and the Children’s Book Council support Every Child a Reader.